Joe blinked, head rolling to one side on his pillow. It felt like he’d slept for weeks. Every inch of him was calm and relaxed, each breath came easy, and for once he didn’t wake with an anxious feeling gnawing at the back of his stomach. He yawned and cracked his jaw, stretching first his right and then left arm over his head.

The blankets were gone but it was warm in the room. He turned on his side, propping his head on his left arm and smiled at the woman who knelt in the center of the bed.

“Hello,” he said.

“Bonsowa-ru.”

“I don’t speak Japanese.”

“Hai. Nihongo o hanasu.”

“No, I don’t. I can’t understand you.”

The kneeling woman tilted her head slightly to one side, causing a faint stirring in the long black hair that shielded her body.

“Watashi ga itta koto o ikani shitta ka?”

“Don’t you speak English? Who are you?”

“Watashi no namae ha Sakura de aru.” One pale, slender arm, ending in a tiny plump hand, emerged from the cloak of hair. She leaned forward, her dark eyes on his, and pressed her hand over his heart. Her small fingers were warm and their touch sent a ripple of pleasure through him. “Takai,” she said.

She pulled her hand back, touching her own heart, her hair parting to expose her left breast. “Sakura.”

“No.” Joe shook his head, slow and dreamlike. He carefully curled his fingers around her wrist and brought her hand back to his chest. “Joe.” He let go her wrist and stretched out his arm, placing his hand over her heart. “Sah-kur-ah.”

She cupped her fingers over his and nodded, gaze never leaving him. “Sakura.”

Joe pushed himself up with his right hand, keeping his left over her heart.

“You’re very beautiful.”

She continued to stare at him, but then blushed and looked down and away, seeming to have understood.

Brushing away her concealing hair, he slid his left hand down over her small breast. Her nipple pebbled in his palm and Joe moved his hand in a circle. The sensitive tip rolled and scraped against his hand, and she made the most beautiful little mewing sound.

His body had been strangely lethargic, but at that sound, so small and aroused, his cock hardened. She reached for him, but hesitated.

“May I touch you? You’re very beautiful. I want to know you.”

“Hai, hai, yorokobasu tame ni watashi ni fureru koto ga dekiru.”

The words echoed, Japanese and English layered over one another, though she was the only speaker. He nodded.

Joe lost himself as her small fingers wrapped around him, squeezing once and then releasing so she could explore each ridge and vein with just her slim fingertips. He brushed her hair over her right shoulder with shaking fingers.

She was slender and petite, beautifully so, her soft skin glowing moon-white. When her fingers wrapped around him once more, Joe urged her onto her back. She went, willing and beautiful, her hair spilling beneath her to form a blanket. Instead of white on white, her flesh against the sheets, she lay amid inky beauty.

He pinched the base of her right breast between his fingers, plumping the flesh and raising her nipple. She uttered a soft little cry as he used lips and teeth to tease her again and again.

Description: On the anniversary of Joe’s mother’s death he breaks his own rules and has a one night stand with an exotic stranger. Sakura is unlike any woman Joe’s ever met: smart, beautiful, and very quirky. That’s because Sakura isn’t like any woman he’s know before--she’s not human. Sakura’s a kitsune, a mystical Japanese fox who can take on the form of a woman, on a mission: help Joe discover his Japanese heritage and make peace with his past. They didn’t say anything about falling in love with him…

To My Readers: I hope you enjoy Kitsune. This story was inspired by watching a friend struggle with her ethnic identity. Half Caucasian-half Japanese she grew up in middle-class suburbia with an ethnic name no one could pronounce, and at the age of 11 was taller than all her Japanese relatives, and her hair never turned blond-streaked in the summer like her friend’s did. No sexy Japanese mythology character showed up to help her (and if one had I would have insisted he bring a friend for me) but it sure might have helped. This is also in honor of this same friend’s Grandma (Hi Grandma Endo!) who still gives me a card with cash in it for my birthday.

Sakura is a mystical spirit-fox, a Kitsune, who has a mission to accomplish. She is young and very honored to be sent to help Joe. Although inexperienced, she feels an immediate connection and will do everything, sexual and otherwise, to help him achieve peace with his spirit and his heritage. She just didn’t expect that Joe would ignite such intense emotions in her heart. Joe doesn’t want to feel deep emotions and certainly doesn’t want to reexamine his past. He never has one-night stands nor dates anyone who reminds him of his Japanese heritage. His friends all know his type is tall, curvy and blonde. So when he finds Sakura in his bed one morning and can’t recall what happened, he is shocked. Even more so when he discovers he feels very protective of her and doesn’t want to tell her goodbye.

Kitsune is based on an ancient Japanese legend of the fox spirits who are sent to mankind to teach lessons or reveal hearts desires. Sakura has an endearing naiveté but is also intelligent and quick to adapt to situations as they happen, she’s crafty like a fox in the best possible ways. Joe is a confused young man who walks in between the two very different parts of his American/Japanese heritage. He has rejected his Japanese heritage but this damage to his spirit is one of the reasons a Kitsune is sent to help him. Both Sakura and Joe are engaging characters and it’s entertaining to see them grow as the story unfolds. When Sakura and Joe make love, the scenes are smoky hot, passionate, graphic and yet show tender feelings very well. The erotic scenes are integral for Joe and Sakura to realize their heartfelt emotions. The pace is perfect, keeping the reader interested and moving to the conclusion. The secondary characters are well drawn and important to help move the plot along, but never overpower the main characters. Love is an elemental force, changing a person and their life if their spirit is purified and ready to accept it. Fans of paranormal themes will really enjoy this entertaining and different myth-based erotic romance. Kitsune is smart, multi-layered, interesting, sexy and wonderfully romantic. This story was very touching and left me with a warm feeling. The themes of second chances, deep family ties and the redeeming power of love were really moving. For all these reasons and the fact I want to reread this wonderful story and discover new details every time, I feel Kitsune is very deserving of a Gold Star Award.

~~ Patrice Storie ~~ Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Fresh Fiction Review

Having read THE KITSUNE by LILA DUBOIS. I can tell you it was a heart-warming tale with just the right amount of sensuality to keep the reader interested. It is well written and fast paced with beautiful imagery. The book starts out with a hook and just keeps reeling you in. There is never a time where I started to loose interest. It was fast paced and kept the readers attention at all times. If you enjoy learning or reading about Japanese legends and folklore you will defiantly enjoy this book. The story is about a young man who denies his heritage and is in pain. A kitsune / a Japanese fox spirit is sent to help him deal with his pain and the reader is along for the ride. As the story unfolds the reader sees the relationship between the two main characters grow. We learn the how and whys of what the young man has gone through in his life and just why he is the way he his. You get to see the importance of family and faith as well. It was very interesting to see how the man dealt with the things in his life from work to friends and lovers. As the man is half Japanese and half American he has two heritages to deal with. Being half Chinese myself I very much related to what the character went through but you do not have to be of Oriental descent to enjoy this story. All the love and magic in this story make it a beautiful read about being true to one self. All in all THE KITSUNE was well written and the scenes flowed nicely, never a dull spot and the imagery was beautiful and never overwhelming. A most enjoyable read that makes me want to look and see what other stories this author has written.